Buzz & Woody

¹stu·pid ( \ˈstü-pəd, ˈstyü-\)

adjective

1 a : slow of mind : obtuse b : given to unintelligent decisions or acts : acting in an unintelligent or careless manner c : lacking intelligence or reason : brutish

(www.merriam-webster.com)

id·i·ot (\ˈi-dē-ət\) noun

1usually offensive : a person affected with extreme mental retardation 2 : a foolish or stupid person

(www.merriam-webster.com)

Our boys have liked Buzz and Woody for some time now. I think they first watched the movie probably six months or so ago, and just recently we purchased the movie for our house. They love the cowboy and the space ranger, Rex and Mr. Potato Head. They play with the action figures of Buzz and Woody, acting out scenes of the movie. I don't mind this except, I've overheard the word, "stupid" being thrown around some. Upon listening more carefully to the words that Woody and Buzz use in the movie, I heard them name-calling one another, "stupid" and "you idiot"! Yikes...that's not exactly how I want my children talking to others.
As a consequence for using the word stupid against one another, I have not allowed the boys to watch "Buzz and Woody" all week. I told them that some of the words that Buzz and Woody use are not kind, and that we won't watch that movie if we are going to use those words.

I've been thinking, however, that I am a silly momma.

How can I possibly expect that my children...3 & 4...will watch a movie, with characters that they just love, and have the self control and decision making capabilities to chose to speak differently? Do I honestly think that my sons are old enough to understand why we don't call people idiots? Do I explain that it's ok for Buzz and Woody to speak this way because they are just pretend? I'm not certain that my preschoolers recognize yet that Buzz and Woody aren't real.
On the other hand, there are people who, on occasion, say unkind things that my children overhear. In those circumstances, I talk with the boys about kind words and unkind words, and direct them to choose wisely. The people saying the unkind things are usually strangers, not someone that I have over weekly to spend time with my children.
In addition, an unfortunate truth is that I use the word stupid much more often than I would have thought. I do not direct it toward others, however, over the last week Jeffery has caught me saying stupid in reference to something that I have done a couple of times. This morning, in fact, he caught me saying, to a friend, that an action I could have taken would have been stupid. His eyes got so big, and his mouth fell open as he said, "Momma, why did you say that word?"

He doesn't understand. He doesn't even know what stupid means.

As a mom, first and foremost, I've gotta get control of my potty mouth. If I don't want my sons calling others stupid, I've gotta lay off of that word, in any usage, myself. Secondly, I think the Buzz and Woody movie is going to have to be put away until the boys are old enough to understand what those words mean and the reasons why calling someone those words is wrong (beyond momma will produce consequences for such actions). Thirdly, I think I'm going to have to review several movies in our collection. It's one thing for a villian, one who is clearly recognized as "bad", to use unkind speech. However, it is something entirely different for the "good guys"...the ones my sons want to be like...to speak so unkindly. I don't intend to pretend that unkind words don't exist, it's just that I'm certain my boys will have enough exposure to them without my assistance.

Preschool Picnic

The big boys had their preschool picnic today. It was their last day of school for the year. The students were allowed to play on the playground, search for candy, throw water balloons at their teachers, and enjoy a picnic lunch. The boys were even more excited about this event because Gigi accompanied us to the park, and she brought with her yellow cookies from Golden Glaze!
Little brothers and sisters participated as well. In fact, Greggy was able to play with a couple of boys and girls that will be in his preschool class year after next. The little ones were so funny...wanting to be involved in everything that their big brothers or sisters were doing.

It was warm, but we had a great time!

John Isaac and Bradley at the top of the slide.

Gigi helped Jeffery get down from the Jungle Gym...it was quite high!

Greggy loved the swing, while John Isaac and Jeffery wanted to run, climb, and slide.

Even Greg got a turn throwing a water balloon at the teachers.

There were several little brothers and sisters there...fun, fun, fun!

Gigi and Greggy took a rest to watch the big boys throw

water balloons at Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Lytle.

Jeffery patiently waited his turn to soak the teachers.

John Isaac had great aim and lots of fun!

Jeffery, the sweet big brother, made sure Greggy made it to where he needed to be.

The class waiting for their lunch...It was a fun day!

to be a missionary

They [new missionaries to China] must be men and women of absolute self-consecration, ready to come down and live among the natives, to wear Chinese dress and live in Chinese houses, rejoicing in the footsteps of Him who "though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be made rich." We do not ask people to come out and live in costly foreign style ... barely touching the heathen world with the tips of their fingers, but we ask them to come prepared to cast in their lot with the natives.
--- Lottie Moon

one year down...

John Isaac and Jeffery,

I can't believe that you guys are finishing your first year of school today. You've both done so much better than I could have ever dreamed. As I've reflected on your year, here are some things that I've noticed:

1. You are able to sit still and follow directions so much better than before. Thank you Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Lytle!
2. You can spell your names. This is the most unbelievable to me. I always think that you are still so little.
3. You've loved going to school. I pray that you will always love to learn, just like your daddy!
4. You've learned so many Bible stories. I pray that you will, one day, realize the truth of these stories and the beauty and greatness of the God that they are about.

I love you guys,
Daddy

How We Spend Our Evenings...

About a month ago friends of ours, Scott and Sarah Beth, brought a new game to our house to play. Ticket to Ride is a strategy, building game. It is lots of fun and can be found with maps from a variety of locations...US, Europe, etc...

The best part is that you can play with just two people. Now, I would love to have game night with friends every night, but taking care of young children and busy schedules just do not allow for get-togethers that often. When John and I realized that there were rules adapted for two players, we decided it might be a fun way for us to discuss the day, our calendar, and just visit each evening before bed.

Well, that's just what we've been doing. The game takes 20-30 minutes, and we have so much fun strategizing and talking. It is a way to relax without watching the TV.

One side effect that I had not counted on is the extreme desire it places in my heart to travel...specifically to Europe! With so many little ones, it will be a while until we are able to go back. I remember our study abroad fondly, and look forward to the time when we will be able to take the boys. One thing I really want our children to be aware of is that the world is so much bigger than our family, our home, our town. It's not all about us!

I highly recommend Ticket to Ride for anyone looking for a new, fun game to play. The boys are already asking when they get to play. It does look fun...doesn't it!?!?!

Like Father, Like Sons

Those of you who know John best, know that he is a bit of a tech junkie. The fact that our funds have been quite limited at times and that we funnel them into adopting when they're less limited has kept him from going over the top in this regard. The other day, however, I walked upon this site. The boys see Daddy working on the computer for church, class, or for just for fun regularly. Each of them apparently wanted to sit at the "island table" with Daddy to work on their computer too. Thankfully, we had enough computers at the house to go around. John Isaac is working on the laptop that belongs to the church, John and Greggy are working on our personal laptops, and Jeffery is working on his Elmo laptop. They make me smile!

I recently discovered a Russian phrase used commonly among students: Zu-bree-YOSH-ka, zdal, zabil which literally means, "cramming, passed, forgot."...This is not a Russian flaw but human sin, a shortcut. The results are self-evident. Exams may be passed, but little fruit remains. The thinking of students who behave this way has not been changed by the facts we've showered over them.
-- Rick Yount

today's best podcasted quote...

I am so grateful for my wife and children. They are God's gift to me for my sanctification. They reveal to me how selfish I really am.
-- Matt Chandler

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your perspective, this quote is so true. By the grace of God, I've seen my flaws and been able to keep growing.

Thanks guys. I love you!

John...

John will now be blogging with me at this address. We are starting to blog together in an effort to compile a collection of our thoughts on things, pictures of happenings, etc... as our boys grow up. Check the bottom of each post to see which of us is the author.

John's first post can be read below.

Red Familes v. Blue Families

The research in "Red Families v. Blue Families" by Naomi Cahn and June Carbone (see this article) has indicated that "liberal states" have lower teen birthrates and lower divorce rates than "conservative states." Why is this? Conservative America is "stuck trying to sustain an outdated social model." The implication, of course, is that conservative values (i.e. abstinence only sex education, early marriage, and religion) lead to unhappy marriages between incompatible mates and to higher levels of teenage sexual activity. This assertion, however, is simply erroneous for a couple of reasons.

1. The book reports teenage birth rates and not teenage pregnancy rates. To be fair, the book acknowledges higher abortion rates in liberal states. It is actually argued that the liberal approach to life (education and career first and then family and children) "depends on abortion." What someone should study is the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. What this study proves is that teenagers in conservative states are far more likely to carry a child to birth. This, by all means, should not be mocked.
2. People who are never married are never divorced. I know that sounds simplistic, but having a lower divorce rate does not necessarily suggest a better family model. In conservative areas, marriage is still normative even by those that don't believe in the sanctity of the institution. On the other hand, in liberal areas it is possible and acceptable to co-habitat without marriage. A better statistic would be something like "number of live-in partners."
3. It is a logical fallacy to suggest that the conservative family model is flawed based on anecdotal evidence (i.e. the reference to Bristol Palin in the article) or people from "conservative states" that don't live the conservative lifestyle. The idea isn't flawed just because people are flawed.

This book may prove what it purports, but likely it doesn't. Statistics is a science of precise terms. Mark Twain famously said that there are "lies, damn lies, and statistics." If you have a point to make, you can make the statistics say what you want. My guess is that these authors, like most, had a thesis in mind for the book before they collected data and, as can be done, found the necessary supporting data.

Happy Mothers' Day 2010

This year for Mothers' Day, I received a new camera. You never could have guessed, huh! That is why I've been posting so many pictures.

The day was beautiful! John preached on investing in things that really last and the blessing and responsibility of raising children. We ate out and took a long nap after church. In the evening, we went to the playground at church to play together for a while. The boys had a good time, and I did too!

Of course we had cupcakes!

Jeffery and John Isaac made me cards in Sunday School for Mothers' Day. Since I am their Sunday School teacher this quarter, it was I who planned the card making...still sweet.

Good grief...he's cute!

Jeffery loves going to the playground to play.

John Isaac likes to climb and slide.

Baby Greg wanted to swing on the big kid swings so badly. John held Greg close so that he could swing by himself. In this picture, that sweet baby is getting kisses from his daddy!

Bar-B-Q Festival 2010

Over the weekend, we attended the BBQ Festival that takes place in town each year. Local restaurants, churches, and talented individuals cooked and sold their delicious BBQ. There were carnival festivities for the kids, and street vendors selling fudge, dresses, jewelry, and even tatoos. It was rather smoky with all of the grills cooking at once, but all-in-all I think the boys had a good time.

That boy makes my heart smile! Both of the big boys had a fun time in the bouncers.

We ate lunch on the curb in front of some serious BBQ cooking.

Jeffery had his face painted like a spider's web.

Greggy spent most of his time at the festival on Daddy's shoulders.

After Bath...Before Bed

After getting dressed for bed, the boys like to climb on their daddy!

I liked this picture of John and the boys. I think they were worn out after all of that wrestling.

That Jeffery can be so very sweet sometimes!

Spring Pictures 2010

My sweet friend, Sarah Beth Thompson, took the boys' pictures recently. She always does such a great job! Many Thanks, Sweet Friend!

This had to be one of my favorite pictures! Those boys love their daddy!

I just love this face! I see it often.

I thought this was such a grown up looking picture of my Toot. He's such a handsome boy!

This picture makes me smile so big! I think he likes that sucker.

Jeffery Thomas (3 years, 9 months)

John Isaac Wilson (4 years, 6 months)

Gregory Paul (20 months)

Fun in the Sun

The Story of The Bad Super Hero

The Bad Super Hero

"Oh no! What are we gonna do?"

I don't think this one is scared a bit!

Preface

Early in the morning a mother of three awoke thirty minutes before her alarm was set to ring to the sound of her youngest child's Build-A-Bear talking and a call for "MOMMY" growing ever louder in the hallway.

.........................

This morning, I gave the boys their bath before school. After getting dressed, Jeffery asked if he could wear his towel so that he could be a super hero. I said yes thinking little of the question. The boys often wear their towels and pretend to be birds, super heros, airplanes, etc...

After getting all of the boys dressed, I told them to find their seats at the table for breakfast. I was promptly informed by Jeffery that he wasn't going to sit at the table for breakfast because he was not Jeffery...he was The Bad Super Hero. He then began to talk loudly and create chaos leading the other boys to disregard my instructions. I pointed out the virtues of being a good super hero, but I could tell that my point was not getting through to the menacing super hero racing around my kitchen. He somehow believed that being The Bad Super Hero would allow him to disobey, treat his brothers unkindly, and, generally, act in a rotten fashion without any consequence.

After a minute or so, I got the bright idea that I would explain to TBSH about the police. This quickly got his attention. I told him how the bad super heros always get caught by the police, and they have to go to jail. He didn't like that possibility in the least, but he looked a bit uncertain about the legitimacy of my explanation when the most hilarious thing happened...my phone alarm went off.

(As stated in the preface, I woke up thirty minutes before my alarm went off this morning. As I was rushing to get the bath water started and get Greg, I had forgotten to turn off my phone alarm. Since I have a variety of ringtones on my phone, Jeffery had no idea that my alarm wasn't a phone call.)

As I picked up the phone, TBSH asked, "who is it?"

I quickly said, "I think it's the police."

His faced turned a shade lighter, and he began to say, "no, no...I don't want you to tell them I'm a bad super hero!" I asked him if he was ready to change his ways...to become a good super hero and find his seat at the table. He quickly agreed.

I ran to the bathroom and burst into tears laughing! When I returned to the kitchen Jeffery, The Good Super Hero, asked me in a very concerned and serious tone, "Momma, how did they know I was here?"

"Honey, the police take the business of bad super heros very seriously," I responded.

I'll never tell..at least not until he's thirty!...hehe :)